At Plain City Elementary School (PCES), our journey as a Certified Energy Bus School has been nothing short of electrifying! With a focus on fostering positivity, collaboration, and enthusiasm, we’ve embraced the Energy Bus principles wholeheartedly, and the impact on our school community has been inspiring.
Our journey kicked off with an exciting school assembly where students were treated to a special video of Jon Gordon himself reading The Energy Bus book. Adding to the excitement, we unveiled a fun and creative music video featuring PCES staff performing "Energy Bus Baby," a playful take on "Ice, Ice, Baby." The students absolutely loved it, and the energy in the room was contagious!
To ensure the Energy Bus rules resonate with students, we’ve incorporated weekly lessons focusing on each of the five rules. These lessons are tied to our school’s "one word" initiative, where students and staff select a single word that represents their focus or goal for the year. In collaboration with the JA Leo Club, our next school assembly will feature a hands-on activity where students create bracelets representing their classroom’s "one word." This activity is a wonderful way to unite students around their shared values and goals.
Positive energy is now an integral part of everything we do at PCES. To reinforce the Energy Bus principles, we recite one of the five rules daily during morning announcements. These rules remind students to:
Create a positive vision.
Fuel their ride with positive energy.
Ensure no bullies are allowed.
Love their passengers.
Enjoy the ride.
Our school environment vividly reflects these principles. The hallways are adorned with grade-level school buses showcasing individual student tickets, chains of their "one words," and posters brimming with motivational Energy Bus quotes. Thanks to the creativity of Emily Byers and her work in our Think Big space, even our front doors are decked out in Energy Bus-themed decorations. The vibrant visuals remind everyone who enters that positivity drives our school.
Each classroom has a copy of The Energy Bus book, and many teachers have implemented creative activities to bring the Energy Bus lessons to life. From interactive discussions to art projects, these initiatives enrich the students’ experience and deepen their understanding of the principles.
Plain City Elementary School is truly fueled by positive energy. By integrating the Energy Bus rules into our daily routines and creating an engaging, supportive environment, we’re not just teaching lessons—we’re building a culture of positivity that will benefit our students for years to come. All aboard the Energy Bus!